Lions and Trains and Balls, Oh My!

There seemed to be a theme this Christmas for Streedums. We got Streed a stuffed lion in honor of the SLU Lions and Nana and Papa Crooms got him a lion chair. A friend from church even got Ella a precious little Leap Frog Lion. Aunt Jodi, Nana & Papa Crooms and Chip & I bought Thomas the Tank Engine paraphanalia. Both sides of the family bought him balls! The Crooms got Streed and Ella and AU ball, mine got him an AL one, Gran got him a basketball, soccer and football, Chip and I got him a 3' soccer goal that says "GOOOAAALLL" when you hit the net. Needless to say after he went to bed last night we cleaned out his toys and put some away for Ella.

In case you're wondering if Ella got anything...over the course of two weekends she racked up--she was just asleep during much of the opening process. She got Baby Einstein toys, books, a doll, stocking, ornament and blanket, a new play mat and diaper bag, clothes, an exersaucer and movie. Basically we decided that parents don't need to buy their young kids any gifts because they make out like bandits from the grandparents and aunts & uncles. We are very appreciative. We enjoyed spending time with all of you!

A Very Crooms Christmas

I am not real sure what the title means. It just flowed. Chip's parents, Nana & Papa, were here this weekend. As you can see, Streed needed a nap. The crying picture was right before we left for church on Christmas Eve.
The other was before they left on Christmas morning.

Christmas 2006

We celebrated in Mobile last weekend. Chip's family will be here this weekend. More pics to come.

Pleasantly Surprised

We looked at the house yesterday that I thought was going to be REALLY small. It was much better than we had imagined. There is even room for Chip to have an office. (I may sneak my new sewing machine in there as well.) We signed the lease today! So, we are no longer wandering aimlessly for the next few weeks. This house is really close to our good friends, babysitters, campus and church. I cannot imagine how different it will be living on this side of town. I am really excited. The only down side is its a rental and the owner is really strict about giving back the deposits. So, I wil be living with bare white walls for at least a year. It sounds petty and shallow to even complain about that. We are so thankful for this opportunity.

Dec 12

Not only was yesterday my dad's birthday, but it was also the day we were supposed to look at the rental house I have mentioned previously. We have been waiting and waiting for Dec 12 to get here so we could finalize where we are moving on or before Jan 12. Apparently the people in there now have until the 15th to get out. So, we will either see it Friday or Monday. We're still not certain this is the house we would prefer. We are hoping maybe this stall in OUR plan was to free up the house on Elm. We'll know soon enough.

Blogworthy Barn Bath

Why is the barn in the tub you ask? A few moments before this picture was taken I noticed a foul smell as Streed breezed past me on his Thomas the Tank Engine ride-on toy. I asked him if he had poo-poo in his diaper. He then held up both hands. Yes, they were covered with poo. I quickly scooped him up and dropped him in the tub. I then began to wonder what all he had touched prior to my noticing the smell. So, I go to the den and look to his barn. It is covered...animals, stalls etc. So, I figured the easiest thing to do was to bathe it as well. Hence, the barn is in the tub. Yes, I wiped down the tank engine too. As you can see, he thoroughly enjoyed the new tub toy!

Weight Update

Ella is 16 lb 10 oz at 3mts--the same as Streed at 8mts!

Blessed

Every Sunday at church I learn or experience something that makes me want to blog when I get home, yet I fail to do so. (Follow thru is not my strong suit.) We love our new church! It is such a worshipful experience each week.

Thoughts from 12/10/06:

Music: The worship team at Crossroads truly leads us into worship. One of the choruses we sang yesterday said...
You walk on waves
You run with clouds
You paint the sky for me to see
Your majesty is why I sing, Your majesty is why I sing.
While we were singing this, in walked a dad with his 20-something year old son who was blind. God painted the sky so we could see. This guy could not see, this man's son could not see, yet they were praising the Lord. I don't know if he was born blind or if it was do to an accident or illness. I just know it didn't stop them from worshipping. There is another family that visits sometimes who's 19 yr old daugther spends her days in a wheel chair at a nursing home due to a nearly fatal car wreck. They too love the Lord and love to sing His praises. It is because of His majesty that we sing.

Message: Matt 1:18-25--Yesterday our pastor (who's name is Chip) began a 3 week series focusing on certain characters in the birth of Christ. He began with Joseph.
We learned that Joseph was righteous (Mt 1:19); contemplative (1:20)--he considered his rights (he could have divorced her or had her stoned), he was thoughtful, not reactive; he was obedient (1:24) he did what the angel commanded him.

Joseph Recognized...

1. The Christ (v21) as the saving power in our lives
2. God's sustaining power (v22-23--Immanuel means God with us). Matthew began his book with "God is with us" in Ch. 1 and ended Ch. 28 with Christ's words "Lo, I am with you always..."
3. That his life was all he had to give and he gave it (he was God's earthly dad--what an incredible responsibility)

I will miss next week's sermon on Mary but will definitely post the notes on Jesus.

To all you faithful readers

You're not the only one who's so glad I got a new digital camera!

Amen and Amen

Well, yesterday was the dreaded day...the day we take our annual Christmas photo. Anytime you try to get two small children to cooperate in unison for anything, there is likely to be some frustration on the side of the parents. Take the time we took Ella's pumpkin picture, for instance...not a pleasant experience for anyone. But, the photo gods were smiling on us yesterday. The FIRST picture was not only acceptable, it was actually good. But, we took one more just to get a better smile from Streed. So, without further ado...